Euphorbia elodes Boissier (1860: 29)

Silva, Otávio Luis Marques Da, Cordeiro, Inês & Caruzo, Maria Beatriz Rossi, 2014, Synopsis of Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, Phytotaxa 181 (4), pp. 193-215 : 198

6. Euphorbia elodes Boissier (1860: 29) ( Fig. 2C–E ). Types:— BRAZIL. São Paulo: In paludosis Brasiliae inter Mugy et Santo-Paulo, L. Riedel s.n. (syntype LE, isoyntypes P00716352!, P00716351!); Minas Gerais: A.F. Regnell s.n. (syntype S); same locality, J.F. Widgren s.n. (syntype S).

Distribution and habitat:— Euphorbia elodes is endemic to Brazil (Distrito Federal, Goiás, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Paraná). In the State of São Paulo it occurs in high montane habitats, frequently on swampy areas or riversides.

Representative Specimen:— BRAZIL. São Paulo: São José do Barreiro , 21 January 2013, O.L.M. Silva et al. 71 (SP) .

Taxonomic notes:— Euphorbia elodes is very similar to E. rhabdodes but differs from it due to its actinodromous, short-petiolate leaves (vs. cladodromous and sessile leaves with revolute margin in E. rhabdodes , number of lateral axes of the pleiochasia (3 in E. elodes vs. 5 in E. rhabdodes ), and seed coat (verrucose in E. elodes vs. rugose in E. rhabdodes ). Another similar species is E. cordeiroae , which differs from E. elodes by the shape of cyathophylls, stipules and the perianth-like whorl of the pistillate flower (see notes on Euphorbia cordeiroae ).

Figures

FIGURE 2. A–B: Euphorbia comosa. A. habit, B. synflorescence. C–E: Euphorbia elodes. C. synflorescence, D. branch with cyathia, E. cyathium. F–I: Euphorbia foliolosa. F. habit, G. detail of leaf margin, H. branch with cyathia, I. detail of a cyathium. Photos: A–B: I. Cordeiro, C–I: O.L.M. Silva.